Racers get ready! Get set! Go! This weekend is going to be a busy one in the Sea-to-Sky corridor with each community hosting a big event.

Squamish – Test of Metal

Where: Squamish

When: June 20, 2015

What: Cross-Country Mountain Bike Race

The Test of Metal is one of Squamish’s biggest and most popular cross-country mountain bike races. Now in its 20th year, there will nearly 1,000 riders participating in this grueling test of strength, stamina, and endurance. The 67 kilometer course will include over 1,200 meters of climbing and 35 kilometers along the single-track trails of Squamish.

Average competitors can expect to finish the course in about 4 hours while the fastest riders aim for a time of about 2.5 hours.

For the thousands of spectators who come out to cheer on the riders and participate in the festivities there will be vendors (including food trucks and beer garden) at the finish line at the Loggers Sports Grounds. Spectators can also take part in the CrossFit Squamish Strength in Stone competition or the Celebrity Challenge.

In addition to the main event, young riders can participate in the Mini-Metal on Sunday morning and downhill riders will compete in the Rockstar Invitational on Sunday afternoon.

Where are the best viewing spots: The race begins at Brennan Park at 11 AM. Make sure you are there in lots of time to get a good viewing spot for the start. A shuttle will be available to take spectators to the Powerhouse Zone and from there to the Finish Line. Or, set yourself up anywhere along the 35 kilometer single-track portion of the course.

Whistler – Tough Mudder

Where: Whistler Olympic Park

When: June 20 & 21, 2015

What: An extreme 10 – 12 mile obstacle course

The Tough Mudder Pledge:I understand that the Tough Mudder is not a race but a Challenge. I put teamwork and camaraderie before my course time. I do not whine. I help my fellow mudders complete the course. I overcome all fears.

The Tough Mudder is exactly what it promises – TOUGH! This 10 to 12 mile obstacle course, designed by the British Special Forces, will test your physical strength, mental grit, and most importantly your team-work and camaraderie. No participant is left behind and the course is not timed. Instead the focus is on overcoming all the challenges by working together and pushing through.

Participants register in teams and must work together with their team, and everyone else, as the climb steep hills, wade through freezing water, crawl through mud, scale walls, jump from heights, run through electricity, and battle unforgiving man-made obstacles you won’t find anywhere else. It is not easy and finishing is its own glorious reward.

Participants need to have strength, edurance, agility, and cardio, cardio, cardio! Even spectators should come prepared with a change of cloths and be ready to scream and cheer their friends, colleagues, and all participants on.

Pemberton – BarnBurner Triple

Where: Pemberton

When: June 20, 2015

What: A trail running race

The inaugural BarnBurner Triple is a grass roots event that will take runners over some of Pemberton’s favourit, world-renowned trails. Runners are able to choose between 10, 15, and 25 kilometer courses that follow 3 distinct courses. They can complete the distance individually or run it as a relay with a team.

The race will begin at the new Pemberton Community Barn and will showcase the best of what Pemberton has to offer, including spectacular vistas, technical single-track trails, steep inclines, and flowing descents. In its first year, organizers estimate 150 to 200 participants from all over BC, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond.